Panel with reduced glare

ABSTRACT

A wire-grip polarizer (“WGP”), and a panel having said WGP is provided. The WGP is mounted on an absorption layer. The absorption layer is mounted on a substrate. The substrate is brightly colored. The WGP includes a plurality of gratings formed of a metallic element. Each of the gratings is spaced apart from the other so as to form a waveguide. The WGP is configured to transmit S-Polarized light and reflect P-polarized light. The A thin film layer may be disposed on each of the metallic gratings. The thin film layer is configured to generate a resonance so as to modify the reflectivity of P-polarized light so as to reduce veiling glare and maintain the brightness of the substrate.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A colored panel having a wire-grid polarizer configured to reduceveiling glare and maintain the brightness of the panel and a wire-gridpolarizer is provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Veiling glare are mirror-like images of an object projected onto awindow. The mirror-like image is caused when light is transmittedthrough a window onto the object. The light reflects off the object ontothe inner surface of the window.

Veiling glare is a phenomenon which is commonly observed inside anautomotive vehicle. In particular, light penetrates the windshield andstrikes the dashboard, the dashboard (“D”) reflects the light onto theinterior surface of the windshield (“W’) as depicted in FIG. 1. Thus,what is superimposed onto the windshield is a mirror image of thedashboard. The mirror image of the dashboard imposed on the windshieldcan lower the contrast of road scene.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a perspective view showing therelationship between incident angles and reflectance from the panel seenon the windshield “W” of an automotive vehicle is provided. Thewindshield “W” is angled with respect to the dashboard “D”. Thedashboard “D” is shown disposed on a generally horizontal plane. Thewindshield “W” may be angled 20 to 40 degrees with respect to thedashboard “D”. The driver's eye is indicated by “DE” and the reflectionsfrom the dashboard “D” are indicated by the uniform and dashed lines.

FIG. 2 illustrates that lights enters the driver's eye from both aboveand below the driver's field of view. In such a windshield “W” anddashboard “D” configuration, angles φ₁ and φ₂ φ₂ are the angles betweenthe dashboard “D” and the windshield “W”, and indicate the directions oflight coming from above and below the panel. Both φ₁ and φ₂ have a rangeof 0 to 25 degrees, and thus, the incident angle of lights thatcontribute to veiling glare has a range of 40 to 80 degrees.

When the incident angle of lights contributing to veiling glare has arange of 40 to 80 degrees, the reflectivity of P-polarized lights ismuch lower than that of S-polarized lights at the air-glass boundary bycalculating the Fresnel reflection coefficients. A relationship betweenthe power of reflectivity and the incident angles is provided in thechart shown in FIG. 3. The chart is formulated with the assumption thatthe refractive indexes of the glass/windshield is 1.5 and the refractiveindex of air is 1.0. Accordingly, reducing veiling glare may beaccomplished by controlling the reflectivity of P-polarized lights. Withreference again to FIG. 3, it is seen that the reflectivity forP-polarized light vanishes at Brewster's angle.

As is demonstrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, veiling glare is influenced by thereflectance of the dashboard. Thus, veiling glare may be reduced byhaving a panel which is colored darkly. It is known that darkly coloredpanels have low-reflectivity, but also absorbed a larger spectrum oflight and thus generates heat. Further, such an approach limits thecolors which may be offered as bright colored dashboard panels mayincrease veiling glare. As used herein, “brightly colored” refers to apanel configured to reflect wavelengths having a wavelength between380-750 nm.

Attempts have been made to reduce veiling glare. Such attempts includethe use of an absorbing polarizing layer mounted on top of a reflectinglayer. The reflecting layer includes reflective or scattering pigmentsto increase the brightness of the vehicle interior. However, thebrightness is reduced with the absorbing polarizing layer mounted on topthereof.

Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a brightly colored panelconfigured to reduce veiling glare while maintaining the brightness ofits color by utilization of a high reflectivity structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A panel configured to reduce veiling glare off an adjacent window whilemaintaining the brightness of the color of the panel is provided. Awire-grid polarizer (WGP) configured to reflect P-polarized light in apredetermined spectrum and transmit S-polarized light an all visiblespectrum is also provided. The panel may be a dashboard panel disposedadjacent a windshield and positioned so as to receive light through thewindshield. The panel includes a substrate, an absorption layer mountedon the substrate and a WGP. The substrate may be colored brightly, thusconfigured to reflect a wavelength between 380-750 nm. The absorptionlayer is configured to absorb S-polarized light and P-polarized light,and is mounted on top of the substrate. The WGP is mounted on top of theabsorption layer.

The WGP includes a plurality of gratings formed of a metallic element.Each of the gratings is generally an elongated strand of the metallicelement, and each are spaced apart from each other so as to form aplurality of wave guides. The waveguides have a width, as measured bythe distance between opposing gratings, shorter than the wavelength ofthe color of the substrate so as to reflect P-polarized light byinducing the dipole radiation, wherein the S-polarized light istransmitted through the substrate by the waveguides formed between themetallic gratings.

The WGP may further include a thin film layer deposited on each of thegratings. The thin film layer is configured to modify the reflectivityspectrum of the metal grating by generating a resonance when coupled tothe gratings. Accordingly, a predetermined spectrum of P-polarized lightmay be reflected off of the WGP. The thin film layer may be formed of alossy dielectric such as a semiconductor. The semiconductor may have athickness between 1 to 30 nm so as to reflect the P-polarized lighthaving a wavelength of the color of the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplaryin nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by theclaims. The following detailed description of the illustrativeembodiments can be better understood when read in conjunction with thefollowing drawings where like structure is indicated with like referencenumerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the formation of veiling glare;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of showing the relationship betweenincident angles and reflectance from a panel seen on an adjacentwindshield;

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the reflectivity ofP-polarized lights and S-polarized lights;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the panel used to reduce veilingglare from an adjacent windshield;

FIG. 5 is an isolated view of the WGP shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the simulated reflectance of P-polarized lightand S-polarized light of a WGP with thin film layers having variousthickness;

FIG. 7 a is a chart showing the simulated reflectivity of P-polarizedlight from a WGP at different angles;

FIG. 7 b is a chart showing the simulated reflectivity of S-polarizedlight from a WGP at different angles;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an automotive vehicle showing thepanel and windshield arrangement;

FIG. 9 a is a perspective view showing the measurement of reflectivityof the windshield and dashboard having a WGP;

FIG. 9 b is a chart showing the measured reflectivity for P-polarizedlight and S-polarized light of a panel having a WGP of the windshieldand dashboard of FIG. 9 a; and

FIG. 10 a is an illustration showing the WGP placed in the center of adashboard of an automotive vehicle;

FIG. 10 b is an illustration showing the WGP placed to the right of theWGP shown in FIG. 10 a; and

FIG. 10 c is an illustration showing the WGP placed to the right of theWGP shown in FIG. 10 b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments described herein generally relate to a brightly coloredpanel having a WGP so as to reduce veiling glare yet maintain the brightcolor of the panel. The embodiments described herein also generallyrelate to a WGP configured to reflect P-polarized light within apredetermined spectrum and absorb all S-polarized light so as to reducethe veiling glare seen on an adjacent reflective surface, yet maintainthe color of a brightly colored panel.

The brightly colored panel may be a dashboard disposed adjacent awindshield and positioned so as to receive light through the windshield.The panel further includes a substrate. The substrate may be coloredbrightly. The panel may further include an absorption layer mounted onthe substrate. The WGP is mounted on the absorption layer.

The WGP includes a plurality of gratings formed of a metallic element.Each grating is spaced apart from the other so as to form a plurality ofwave guides. The waveguides have a longitudinal axis, the longitudinalaxis is axially aligned with the direction of a light source. Themetallic gratings and waveguides transmit S-polarized light and reflectP-polarized light of all wavelengths in the visible spectrum.

The WGP further may further include a thin film layer deposited on eachof the gratings. The thin film layer is configured to modify thereflectivity spectrum of the metal grating by generating a resonance.The thin film layer modifies the reflectivity spectrum as a function ofboth the material and thickness of the thin film layer. Thus, bothP-polarized and S-polarized light are transmitted to the absorptionlayer. However, a predetermined spectrum of P-polarized light isreflected from the WGP.

In operation, light passes through the non-polarized windshield andstrikes the panel. Specifically, light strikes the WGP which polarizesthe light thus generating S-polarized light and P-polarized light. Asused herein, and to be consistent with the notions used for glasswindows, “S-polarized light” refers to the light polarized along thelongitudinal length of the gratings, and “P-polarized light” refers tothe light polarized perpendicular to the longitudinal length of thegratings.

The waveguides transmit S-polarized light into the absorption layer. Thepresence of a thin film layer may change the reflectivity spectrum ofthe metal grating by generating a resonance when coupled to thegratings, thus transmitting a specific spectrum of P-polarized light,and reflecting a specific spectrum of P-polarized light.

Thus, in instances wherein the brightly colored panel is colored otherthan white or black, the thin film layer may be configured to generate aresonance to a desired reflectivity wavelength spectrum, wherein theS-polarized and P-polarized light are transmitted into the absorptionlayer and the P-polarized light in the desired wavelength spectrum isreflected from the WGP so as to maintain the brightness of the color ofthe substrate. However, if the brightly colored panel is colored white,it may desirable to have a WPG without the thin film layer so as toabsorb all the polarized light. As the reflectivity of the S-polarizedlight is absorbed, the veiling glare is reduced as the P-polarized lightpasses through the windshield and is not reflected from the windshieldinto the driver's field of view. Accordingly, the panel and the WGP areconfigured to reduce veiling glare while maintaining the brightness ofthe color of the panel.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an illustrative embodiment of the panel 10is provided. The panel 10 is generally planar, and is shown disposedalong a generally horizontal plane. The panel 10, may be a dashboard 12for use in an automotive vehicle 14 (as shown in FIG. 8). The panel 10includes a substrate 16, an absorption layer 18 mounted on the substrate16 and a WGP 20 mounted on the absorption layer 18.

As shown in FIG. 4, light from the exterior of the windshield 22 passesthrough the windshield 22 and is reflected onto the interior side of thewindshield 22. As light strikes the WGP 20, the light is polarized,wherein S-polarized light is transmitted into the absorption layer 18.The panel 10 may be further configured to reflect P-polarized light in apredetermined spectrum so as to maintain the brightness of the coloredpanel 10. The P-polarized light is transmitted through the windshield 22(as indicated by the arrow) so as to reduce veiling glare.

The substrate 16 may be formed of a polyurethane, or a composite ofunsaturated polyester resin, vinylester resin, and rubber, or the like.The substrate 16 is brightly colored-reflecting a wavelength(s) between380-750 nm. The absorption layer 18 is made of a material configured toabsorb the S-polarized and P-polarized light that transmitted throughthe WGP 20. Any material configured to absorb light in the visiblespectrum currently known and used in the art may be adapted for useherein, illustratively including semiconductor, silicide, metal, ormetal alloys or a material coated with black chromium, carbon black, orthe like.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an illustrative embodiment of the WGP 20is provided. The WGP 20 is mounted on the absorption layer 18. The WGP20 may include a second substrate 24 to provide structural support. Thesecond layer 24 may be formed of glass. The second substrate 24 may bemounted onto the absorption layer 18 or formed integral with theabsorption layer 18.

The WGP 20 includes a plurality of metallic gratings 26. The gratingsare formed of a metallic element configured to induce surface plasmon.Any metallic element, to include a metallic composition, may be adaptedfor use herein to include aluminum, chromium, copper, silver, gold,platinum, zinc, and tungsten and alloys of them. Each of the gratings 26are generally elongated strands of a metallic element and extendlongitudinally along axis “X” so as to define the length of the WGP 20.The gratings 26 have a thickness (“h₂”) which is sub-wavelenth, e.g.less than the wavelength of light. The width (“w₁”) of the gratings 26are also sub-wavelength and shorter than the thickness (“h₂”) of thegrating 26. The grating period, as measured by the distance betweenrespective first surfaces (“f₁”) of adjacent metallic gratings 26 issub-wavelength.

The metallic gratings 26 are spaced apart from each other so as todefine a plurality of waveguides 28 disposed between adjacent gratings26. The width (“w₂”) of the waveguides 28, as measured between by thedistance between adjacent gratings 26, is shorter than half of the lightwavelength. Further, the waveguides 28, and consequently the gratings 26extend axially along axis “X” and may be aligned with the light source.The waveguides 28 and gratings 26 may angled up to 70 degrees from thedirection of the light source. Namely, the waveguides have a widthshorter than the half of the wavelength of visible light. TheS-polarized and P-polarized light is transmitted through thesub-wavelength metallic grating into the waveguide, and S-polarized andP-polarized light is directed into the absorption layer 18 so as toreduce veiling glare.

The WGP 20 further may include a thin film layer 30. The thin film layer30 is formed of a material with light absorbing property, such as asemiconductor or metals configured to create a resonance. It should beappreciated that the materials for manufacturing a semiconductor andmetals creating a resonance currently known and used in the art may beadapted for use herein, illustratively including a lossy dielectric, asilicide, metal or metal alloys. Such materials include amorphoussilicon, chromium, amorphous silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, zincsulfide and Tungsten. The thin film layer 30 is disposed on each of thegratings 26. The thin film layer 30 may have a width (“w₃”) equal to thewidth (“w₁”) of the grating 26 the thin film layer 30 is deposited on.

The thin film layer 30 is configured to create the resonance in thereflection spectrum of the P-polarization so as to maintain thebrightness of the brightly colored substrate 16. Thus, in instanceswhere the brightly colored panel is colored blue, the thin film layer isconfigured to reflect P-polarized light having a wavelength betweenapproximately 450-495 nm and absorb the remaining P-polarized.Alternatively, in cases where the panel is colored white, the WGP doesnot include a thin film layer and thus no resonance with the metallicgratings 26 is generated resulting in the reflection of P-polarizedlight in the entire visible spectrum whereas S-polarized light istransmitted to the absorption layer 18.

The thickness (“h₁”) and material of the thin film layer 30 may bemodified to reflect the wavelength of the color of the panel 10. Forinstance, the thickness (“h₁”) of a thin film layer 30 made of amorphoussilicon may be between 1 and 30 nm depending upon the wavelengthreflection desired. It should be appreciated that the thickness (“h₁”)is measured by the distance between a bottom surface and a top surfaceof the thin film layer 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness (“h₁”) andmaterial affects the resonance generated and thus the reflectivity ofthe thin film layer 30. Accordingly, the thickness of the thin filmlayer 30 is based in part upon the reflectivity desired.

With reference again to FIG. 5, the metallic gratings 26, waveguides 28and thin film layer 30 are shown illustratively disposed on secondsubstrate 24, and the second substrate 24 is disposed on the absorptionlayer 18. However, it should be appreciated that the WGP 20 may beconfigured so as to have the metallic gratings 26, waveguides 28 andthin film layer 30 disposed directly on the absorption layer 18. In suchan embodiment the WGP 20 will not require a second substrate 24. Forinstance, the metallic gratings 26, waveguides 28 and thin film layer 30may be encapsulated by an elastic polymer such as polydimethylsiloxane(“PDMS”) and mounted directly on the absorption layer 18.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a chart showing the reflection spectra ofS-polarized and P-polarized light at normal incident angle, having awavelength from 400 nm to 800 nm is provided. The simulation was basedupon the reflectivity of a WGP 20, shown in FIG. 5, having a grating 26made of aluminum, and a thin film layer 30 made of amorphous silicon,(“a-Si”). The WGP 20 has a grating period (“p”) of 180 nm, the grating26 and the thin film layer 30 have the same width (“w”) of 60 nm, andthe thickness of the grating 26 (“h₂”) is 200 nm. The simulation wasconducted varying the thickness (“h₁”) of the thin film layer 30.Specifically, the simulation was conducted with thin film layer 30thicknesses of 0, 10, 20, 25 and 30 nm.

The solid lines represent the reflection of P-polarized light and thedashed lines represent the reflection of S-polarized light. FIG. 6demonstrates that the reflection of the S-polarized light remainsrelatively unchanged in that nearly all of the S-polarized light istransmitted to the absorption layer 18 underneath the WGP 20. However,noticeable differences occur in the reflection of P-polarized light withrespect to the thickness of the thin film layer 30. FIG. 6 also showsthat the reflectivity of P-polarized light in the entire visiblespectrum remains relatively high (nearly 0.9) without the presence of athin film layer 30. FIG. 6, validates the concept of the reflectivityspectrum modified by the resonance generated by the thin film layer 30.

With reference now to FIGS. 7 a, and 7 b charts showing the relationshipbetween the viewing orientation of the WGP 20 and its reflection areprovided. The simulation was conducted using a WGP 20 having a grating26 made of aluminum, and a thin film layer 30 made of a-Si. The WGP 20has a grating period (“p”) of 180 nm. The grating 26 and the thin filmlayer 30 have the same width (“w”) of 60 nm. The thickness of thegrating 26 (“h₂”) is 200 nm and the thickness (“h₁”) of the thin filmlayer 30 is 25 nm. A legend showing the value of reflectivityaccompanies each of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b. The “Y” column provides theviewing angle, and the “X: axis provides the wavelength. FIGS. 7 a and 7b show that the reflectivity and absorption of P-polarized light andS-polarized light, respectively, remains relatively unchanged up to ±70degrees of the viewing angle. Thus, when used in a space such as thecabin space of a vehicle, the color of the panel 10 will remain fairlyconstant when viewed from different angles within the car, such as thedriver seat and the passenger seat.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an automotive vehicle 14 having awindshield 22 adjacent the dashboard 12 is provided. The windshield 22is an unpolarized medium for which light may pass. The windshield 22 maybe angled between 25 to 35 degrees with respect to the dashboard 12.Light is transmitted through the windshield 22 onto the dashboard 12 andreflected from the dashboard 12 onto an interior surface of thewindshield 22.

The dashboard 12 includes a substrate 16, an absorption layer 18 mountedon the substrate 16, and a WGP 20 mounted on the absorption layer 18.The substrate 16 may be colored brightly. The substrate 16 may be formedof material currently known and used in the art, such as polymericmaterials containing chromophores or colored pigment. The absorptionlayer 18 is configured to absorb S-polarized light. The substrate 16 isbrightly colored, and may be formed of a polyurethane, or a composite ofunsaturated polyester resin, vinylester resin, and rubber, or the like.The substrate 16 is brightly colored-reflecting a wavelength(s) between380-750 nm. The absorption layer 18 may be formed of black coloredmaterials and is configured to absorb light, illustratively includingorganic pigments or inorganic pigments configured to absorb visiblebands of light.

The WGP 20 may include a second substrate 16 formed of glass. The secondsubstrate 16 may be mounted onto the absorption layer 18 or formedintegral with the absorption layer 18. The WGP 20 includes a pluralityof gratings 26 formed of a metallic element. The gratings 26 are spacedapart from each other so as to form a waveguide 28. The waveguides 28transmit S-polarized light and reflect P-polarized light. Thus, if thesubstrate 16 is colored white, the P-polarized light across the visiblespectrum is reflected by the WGP 20.

Each of the gratings 26 extend longitudinally so as to define the lengthof the WGP 20. The gratings 26 have a thickness (“h₂”) less than thewavelength of a predetermined hue. Namely, the thickness (“h₂”) of thegratings 26 is less than the wavelength of the color of the substrate16. The gratings 26 have a width (“w₁”) less than its thickness (“h₂”).The gratings 26 are formed of a metallic element configured to induce adipole moment and therefore re-radiate the light wave that has theelectric field parallel to the gratings (i.e., p-polarization). Anymetallic element, to include a metallic composition may be adapted foruse herein to include aluminum or of aluminum, chromium, copper, silver,gold, platinum, zinc, and tungsten and alloys of them.

The waveguides 28 have a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis isaxially aligned with the direction of a light source, and may angled upto 70 degrees from the direction of the light source. The width (“w₂”)of the waveguides 28, as measured between by the distance betweenadjacent gratings 26, is shorter than the wavelength of a predeterminedhue, namely, the color of the substrate 16. The metallic grating 26 isconfigured to for waveguide that transmit the S-polarized light into theabsorption layer 18 so as to reduce veiling glare.

In instances where the substrate 16 is colored, other than white orblack, the WGP may further include a thin film layer 30 disposed on eachof the metallic gratings 26. The thin film layer 30 is configured togenerate a resonance so as to modify the reflectivity spectrum whereinthe WGP may reflect P-polarized light having a desired wavelength, orwithin a desired spectrum. The width (“w₃”) of the thin film layer 30 ispreferably the same as the width (“w₁”) of the grating 26 upon which thethin film layer 30 is deposited on. The thin film layer 30 is formed ofa material, such as a semiconductor, configured to create a resonance soas to produce the desired colors for P-polarized light depending on thethickness of thin film layer. It should be appreciated that the materialcurrently known and used in the art may be adapted for use herein,illustratively including amorphous silicon.

The thin film layer 30 is disposed on each of the gratings 26 and mayhave a thickness (“h₁”) between 1 and 30 nm, and is configured toreflect P-polarized light having a wavelength the same length as thecolored substrate 16. Thus, the thin film layer 30, by reflectingP-polarized light in the same visible spectrum as the colored substrate16, maintains the brightness of the brightly colored substrate 16. Asshown in FIG. 6, the thickness (“h₁”), as measured by the distancebetween a bottom surface and a top surface of the thin film layer 30affects the reflectivity of the WGP 20. Accordingly, the thickness(“h₁”) of the thin film layer 30 is based in part upon the reflectivitydesired.

With reference now to FIG. 9 a, a diagram of a windshield 22 anddashboard 12 model is provided to verify the simulation results setforth in FIG. 6. The Windshield 22 is angled 30 degrees with respect tothe dashboard 12. A WGP 20 is placed on the dashboard 12 and ameasurement of the reflectivity of P-polarized and S-polarized lightswas taken at different orientations of the WGP 20. The WGP 20 has ametallic grating 26 formed of aluminum and has a reflectivity ofapproximately 45% for un-polarized visible lights, namely light passedthrough the windshield 22 striking the WGP 20.

The WGP 20 has a grating period (“p”) of 180 nm, the grating 26 and thethin film layer 30 have the same width (“w”) of 60 nm, and the thicknessof the grating 26 (“h₂”) is 200 nm. The simulation was conducted withouta thin film layer 30. An LED light was hung in front of the windshield22 to mimic the ambient light. A spectrometer was placed behind thewindshield 22 and suspended 5 cm above the dashboard 12.

With reference now to FIG. 9 b, the results of the model shown in FIG. 9a are provided. FIG. 9 b is a chart which shows the reflections for bothP-polarized and S-polarized lights, measured at four different incidentangles. The incident angles where achieved by changing the positions ofboth the LED light source and the polarizer. The solid lines correspondto the theoretical prediction and the symbols (circle, triangle, andcross) are taken from measurement results for three particularwavelengths. The physical results validate the simulation results shownin FIG. 6.

With reference now to FIGS. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c, a physical test wasconducted by placing the WGP 20 used in the model to generate the datashown in FIG. 9 b. The WGP 20 is placed on various positions of thedashboard 12 of an automotive vehicle 14, and rotated at each position.The dashboard 12 has an absorption layer 18 underneath the WGP 20. FIGS.10 a, 10 b and 10 c demonstrate that the veiling glare may be influencedby the orientation of the longitudinal waveguides 28 with respect to thelight source.

The WGP 20 in the right side images of FIGS. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c havethe longitudinal axis of the waveguides 28 aligned to the light source.That is, the longitudinal axis of the waveguides 28 are generallyparallel to the length of the vehicle 14. The right side images of FIGS.10 a, 10 b and 10 c show that there is no veiling glare on thewindshield 22 when the longitudinal axis of the waveguides 28 areparallel to the length of the vehicle 14. It should be further notedthat the WGP 20 is positioned in different areas of the dashboard 12 inFIGS. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c, and even so, there is no veiling glare.

With respect to the left side images of FIGS. 10 a, 10 b and 10 c, theWGP 20 is positioned in the same spot as the WGP 20 in the right side ofthe same figure. However, the WGP 20 shown on the left side images arerotated 90 degrees with respect to the WGP 20 in the right side image.It can be observed that the angular orientation of the waveguides 28affects the presence of the veiling glare.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it should be understood that various other changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimedsubject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimedsubject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not beutilized in combination.

We claim:
 1. A panel configured to reduce glare, the panel comprising asubstrate; an absorption layer mounted on the substrate; and a wire-gridpolarizer mounted on the absorption layer, the wire grid polarizerhaving a plurality of gratings formed of a metallic element, each of thegratings spaced apart from each other so as to form a waveguide, themetallic gratings having a sub-wavelength period and is configured totransmit both S-polarized light and reflect P-polarized light of allwavelengths in the visible spectrum so as to reduce veiling glare andmaintain the brightness of the substrate.
 2. The panel as set forth inclaim 1, further including a thin film layer disposed on each of themetallic gratings, the thin film layer configured to generate aresonance with the metallic gratings modifying the reflectivity of thewire grid polarizer to reflect P-polarized light having thepredetermined wavelength.
 3. The panel as set forth in claim 1, whereinthe waveguide have a width shorter than half of the wavelength of apredetermined hue.
 4. The panel as set forth in claim 1, wherein themetallic element is one selected from the group consisting of aluminum,chromium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, zinc, and tungsten.
 5. Thepanel as set forth in claim 1, wherein the each of the gratings have athickness, the thickness being less than the wavelength of apredetermined hue.
 6. The panel as set forth in claim 2, wherein thethin film layer is formed of a resonance absorption material configuredto reflect P-polarized light having a wavelength between 380 nm-750 nm.7. The panel as set forth in claim 6, the thin film layer is one ofeither a lossy dielectric.
 8. The panel as set forth in claim 6, whereinthe thin film layer is a semiconductor.
 9. The panel as set forth inclaim 8, wherein the semiconductor is one selected from the groupconsisting of amorphous silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, and zincsulfide.
 10. The panel as set forth in claim 6, the thickness of thethin film layer is between 1 and 30 nanometers.
 11. The panel as setforth in claim 1, wherein the width of each of the gratings in theplurality of gratings is between 30-150 nm
 12. The panel as set forth inclaim 1, wherein the panel is a dashboard of an automotive vehicle. 13.A wire-grid polarizer configured to reflect P-polarized light and absorbS-polarized light, the wire-grid polarizer comprising: a substrate; aplurality of gratings formed of a metallic element, each of the gratingsspaced apart from each other so as to form a waveguide, the waveguidehaving a width less than the half wavelength of a predetermined hue; thewaveguide transmitting S-polarized light and reflecting P-polarizedlight; and a thin film layer disposed on each of the metallic gratings,the thin film layer formed of a resonance absorption material configuredto generate a resonance in response to light so as to transmitS-polarized light and reflect P-polarized light within a predeterminedspectrum.
 14. The wire-grid polarizer as set forth in claim 13, whereinthe substrate is an absorption layer, the absorption layer configured toabsorb the transmitted S-polarized and P-polarized light.
 15. Thewire-grid polarizer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the metallicelement is one selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium,copper, silver, gold, platinum, zinc, and tungsten.
 16. The wire-gridpolarizer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the each of the gratingshave a thickness, the thickness being less than the wavelength of apredetermined hue.
 17. The wire-grid polarizer as set forth in claim 14,the absorption material is of either an organic pigment or an inorganicpigment, both the organic pigment and inorganic pigment are configuredto absorb visible band of the light.
 18. The wire-grid polarizer as setforth in claim 13, wherein the thin film layer is made of a lossydielectric, silicide, metal, or metal alloys.
 19. The wire-gridpolarizer as set forth in claim 13, wherein the thin film layer is asemiconductor.
 20. The wire-grid polarizer as set forth in claim 19,wherein the semiconductor is one selected from the group consisting ofamorphous silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, and zinc sulfide.
 21. Thewire-grid polarizer as set forth in claim 13, the thickness of the thinfilm layer is between 1 and 30 nanometers.
 22. The wire-grid polarizeras set forth in claim 13, wherein the width of each of the gratings inthe plurality of gratings is between 30-100 nm.
 23. An automotivevehicle comprising: a windshield a dashboard adjacent the windshield,the windshield is angled between 20 to 40 degrees of the dashboard, thedashboard having a substrate colored a predetermined hue, and awire-grid polarizer mounted on the absorption layer, the wire gridpolarizer having a plurality of gratings formed of a metallic element,each of the gratings spaced apart from each other so as to form awaveguide configured to transmit S-polarized light and reflectP-polarized light.
 24. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 23,wherein the waveguide has a width shorter than the half wavelength oflight.
 25. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 23, wherein themetallic element is one selected from the group consisting of aluminum,chromium, copper, silver, gold, platinum, zinc, and tungsten.
 26. Theautomotive vehicle as set forth in claim 23, wherein the each of thegratings have a thickness, the thickness being less than the wavelengthlight.
 27. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 23, wherein thewaveguide has a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis axially alignedwith a length of a vehicle body.
 28. The automotive vehicle as set forthin claim 23, wherein the width of each of the gratings in the pluralityof gratings is between 30-150 nm.
 29. The automotive vehicle as setforth in claim 23, the absorption material is one of either an organicpigment or inorganic pigment, both the organic pigment and inorganicpigment is configured to of either an absorb visible band of the light.30. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 23, wherein the wiregrid polarizer further includes a thin film layer disposed on each ofthe metallic gratings, the thin film layer generating a resonancereflect P-polarized light within a predetermined spectrum.
 31. Theautomotive vehicle as set forth in claim 30, wherein the thin film layeris made of a lossy dielectric, semiconductor, silicide, metal, or metalalloys.
 32. The automotive vehicle as set forth in claim 30, wherein thethin film layer is a semiconductor.
 33. The automotive vehicle as setforth in claim 30, wherein the semiconductor is one selected from thegroup consisting of amorphous silicon, germanium, zinc selenide, andzinc sulfide.